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Distinction of Arthropod-Induced Stressors of Chrysanthemum Using Hyperspectral Imaging Technologies
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Christian Nansen, Hoang Danh Nguyen (Derrick), Elvira de Lange, Stuart Marshal, Rachel Purington
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis
 In 2018, American Floral Endowment awarded research funds to associate professor, Christian Nansen at the University of California Davis. The overall project goal is to provide novel and innovative insight into the practical potential of robotics and machine vision as part of improving and automating floral crop monitoring inside greenhouses. The funded project aligns with widespread interest among floricultural industries concerning automation and use of robotics in greenhouse operations. With rising labor costs...
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Ultraviolet Light for Integrated Pest Management
of Western Flower Thrips
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Bruce L. Parker, UVM; Mark Rea, RPI; Agrin Davari, UVM; Margaret Skinner, UVM
 Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, (WFT) is the most damaging insect facing the ornamentals industry. Recently AFE launched an initiative focusing on developing innovative “new” management systems. For this University of Vermont (UVM), Entomology Research Laboratory personnel joined forces with scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to explore the use of ultra violet light for management of WFT. The entomology group has worked previously on WFT and developed a plant-mediated system for management.
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Manipulating Nutrient Inputs to Reduce Thrips in Flower Crops
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Rose Buitenhuis, Michael Brownbridge, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Sarah Jandricic, Chevonne Dayboll, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
 Successful control of western flower thrips in greenhouse floriculture crops relies on a systems approach, a combination of biological control and plant resistance, supported by best environmental and crop production practices. Studies suggest that high fertilizer rates stimulate thrips reproduction, through the provision of high levels of organic nitrogen, stored in plant tissues. Floriculture crops are often over-fertilized, but reducing nutrients too much will negatively impact plant quality...
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The following organizations are supporting the AFE Thrips and Botrytis Campaign through an annual pledge or gift contribution:
- Altman Plants
- Bouquet Collection, Inc.
- CalFlowers
- Colombia Flower Council
by Asocolflores & AFIF
- Continental Flowers
- Equiflor Corp. – Rio Roses
- Falcon Farms, Inc.
- FlorExpo, LLC
- Fresca Farms
- Golden Flowers
- Jardines de los Andes
- Joseph H. Hill Memorial Foundation, Inc.
- Kee Kitayama Research Foundation
- Len Busch Roses
- Mayesh Wholesale Florist
- Metrolina Greenhouses
- Passion Growers
- Royal Flowers
- Tagawa Greenhouses
- The Elite Flower Company
- The Queen’s Flowers Corp.
- Solé Farms
- Sunshine Bouquet Company
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Fundraising Goal:
$1.5 million
Amount Pledged:
$1,446,000
Amount Received:
$506,000
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Thrips and Botrytis Research Projects Underway:
- Finding Solutions to Pre-Harvest Botrytis Infection of Cut Roses
- Objective: Developing and understanding the relationships between the greenhouse environment, such as temperature and cultural practices on Botrytis spore populations in cut roses.
- Researchers/University: Dr. James Faust (lead researcher) and Dr. Guido Schnabel of Clemson University.
- Dates of Research: 2016-2018
- Total Budget Amount: $86,000
- A Novel Approach to Fungal-based Thrips Management with Marigold Guardian Plants
- Objective: Evaluating the persistence of Beauveria bassiana, an insect-killing fungus, that when combined with a solid nutritional substrate (millet) in the potting mix will provide control of western flower thrips for longer periods.
- Researchers/University: Dr. Margaret Skinner (lead researcher), Bruce Parker and Svetlana Gouli of the University of Vermont.
- Dates of Research: 2016-2018
- Total Budget Amount: $63,300
- Successful IPM of Western Flower Thrips Starts with Clean Cuttings
- Objective: Investigating the use of cutting dips containing reduced-risk materials (insecticidal soap, mineral oil) and biopesticides (Beauveria bassiana) as a means of reducing thrips infestations on propagative materials.
- Researchers/Universities: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. David Smitley of Michigan State University.
- Dates of Research: 2017-2019
- Total Budget Amount: $100,000
- Spray Application of Calcium and Silicon on Flower Petals to Improve Resistance to Botrytis Infection and Western Flower Thrips Feeding
- Objective: Evaluating the effect of calcium and silicon to improve flower petal resistance to Botrytis and western flower thrips.
- Researchers/University: Dr. James Faust (lead researcher), Dr. Guido Schnabel and J.C. Chong of Clemson University.
- Dates of Research: 2017-2020
- Total Budget Amount: $144,200
- Ultraviolet Light for Integrated Pest Management of Western Flower Thrips
- Objective: Determining the effect of the western flower thrips’ lethal dose of UV-C exposure on the growth and flowering of roses and mums under lab conditions.
- Researchers/Universities: Dr. Bruce Parker (lead researcher) and Dr. Margaret Skinner of the University of Vermont. Dr. Mark Rea and Dr. Jaimin Patel of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Dates of Research: 2018-2021
- Total Budget Amount: $147,151
- Distinction of Arthropod-Induced Stressor of Chrysanthemum Using Hyperspectral Imaging Technologies
- Objective: To provide novel and innovative insight into the practical potential of robotics and machine vision as part of improving and automating crop monitoring inside greenhouses.
- Researchers/Universities: Dr. Christian Nansen of the University of California, Davis.
- Dates of Research: 2018-2020
- Total Budget Amount: $41,062
- Integrated Management of Thrips Using New Generation Bioinsecticides and Commercially-Reared Natural Enemies
- Objective: To screen new biochemical pesticides for activity against WFT in rose v. 'Tropicana' and evaluate promising materials in replicated greenhouse rose trials with natural enemies (predatory mites.) Conduct grower demonstration trial using the best program in Texas and with Colombian flower grower cooperator.
- Researchers/Universities: Dr. Kevin M Heinz (lead researcher) and Steven Arthurs of Texas A&M University. Carlos F. Caballero of SynTech Research.
- Dates of Research: 2018-2020
- Total Budget Amount: $52,992
- Manipulating Nutrient Inputs to Reduce Thrips in Flower Crops
- Objective: Demonstrate that lowering nutrient inputs by 25-50% reduces thrips incidence and damage in a crop without affecting plant performance and quality. Plants will be more resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the efficacy of biocontrol programs improved. Optimize fertilizer levels will reduce input costs and help growers to deal with stricter environmental regulations to reduce nutrient run-off.
- Researchers/Universities: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis (lead researcher) and Dr. Michael Brownbridge of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Dr. Sarah Jandricic and Dr. Chevonne Carlow of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
- Dates of Research: 2018 - 2020
- Total Budget Amount: $100,000
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